US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
2873 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS258

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5236824, 37.9357749 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a second alleged Coalition civilian casualty event in Manbij for July 11th,

up to three civilians were reported killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan al Mohammad al Sheikh
Age unknown male killed
Mrs. Sawsan,
Age unknown female The wife of Ali Ahmado, the owner of the carpentery shop killed
Fayez al Khillo
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 10th-11th, the Coalition noted: “Near Manbij, 10 strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL-used bridge, an ISIL headquarters, and an ISIL artillery piece.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS305

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Halaab News, named the child Zuheir Mohammad al Maghrabi as having been killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Manbij.

No further details are currently available.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zuheir Mohammad al Maghrabi
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 6, 2016, in Manbij, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3036/CS305 37SDA065429

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 5th- 6th, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position” and for September 6th – 7th: “Near Manbij, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS332

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.197971, 37.1656697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown incident, on December 1st, 2016 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm: “(12.) Oct. 6, 2016, near Aleppo, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.“

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured in Aleppo governorate on this date. However Etihad reported “Turkish warplane shelling in Akhtareen.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Aleppo, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 5th-6th the Coalition had reported: “Near Manbij, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units, destroyed three fighting positions and two heavy machine guns, and suppressed a mortar position. Near Mar’a, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS349

Incident date

October 25, 2016

Location

الحمر الشرقية, Al Hamar al Sharqiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3011536, 37.9742432 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Syria News Desk quoted a resident of the twon who said “planes launched more than three raids on the villages of Al Hamar al Sharqiya and al Madoura and Tal Asward… which led to the killing of two civilians and wounding six others in Hamar al Sharquiya.”

Another report from a local facebook page said a raid took place on the edges of the town, targeting “the house of Nasser al Ibrahim al Sheikho while IS elements were inside.” It added that “the villagers were not harmed.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hamar al Sharqiya, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 24th-25th, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions, a mortar system, and a vehicle.” For October 25th-26th, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS362

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

خنيز السلمان, Khaniz al Salman, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.24446, 39.02565 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several outlets reported the death of a man from Coalition strikes.

RBSS and Shaam News Network reported the death of a civilian “driver” who was operating a tractor when the vehicle was targeted by a Coalition strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Khaniz al Salman village, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA023111
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa, but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, five vehicles, two VBIEDs, and a communications node.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS379

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

باتبو, Batabo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.13447, 36.73979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A unilateral US airstrike on a Fatah al Sham leader may also have killed up to three members of his immediate family.

The Syrian Observatory initially reported that “an unidentified plane – it’s not clear whether international coalition or Russian – targeted a car carrying several people near the town of Batabo in the western countryside of Aleppo, killing 3 people, whose identities are not yet known.”

It later emerged that Fatah al Sham leader Abu Afghan al Masri – described as the group’s legal [sharia] expert – was the target. According to All 4 Syria a second man named as Abu Sahib al Libnani also died with a third unknown person. A Pentagon statement later noted: “U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Sarmada, Syria, on Nov. 18 that killed Abu Afghan al-Masri, a senior al-Qaeda in Syria leader.“

However, Al Jazeera reported that al Masri’s wife and daughter died with him in the car.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abu Afghan al Masri's wife
Age unknown female killed
Abu Afghan al Masri's daughter
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Thevehicle carrying Abu Afghan al Masri, destroyed in a US targeted killing on November 18th 2016 (via All 4 Syria)
  • Abu al Afghan al Masri - the shariaa expert of Fatah al Sham killed in a raid west of Aleppo (via SNHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body bags of those killed in the raid (via SNHR)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.13447, 36.73978

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Batabo, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA9662201229
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Nov. 18, 2016, near Batabo, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3075/CS379 37SBA9662201229

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tamakh, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI358

Incident date

December 1, 2016

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen civilians were reported killed and 8 wounded in an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources.

Yaqein said that 15 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a Coalition strike that hit homes. Iraqi Spring Media Center also reported that 15 civilians were killed and that 8 were injured. They too blamed the Coalition.

However, in its February 2017 civilian casualty report the Coalition noted: Dec. 1, 2016, near Al Qa’im, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Qa’im, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 30th-December 1st, the Coalition reported no strikes near al Qaim but reported “Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIL VBIED staging area and destroyed a bunker.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI374

Incident date

December 17, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Farouk and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3431411, 43.1257262 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than 40 civilians were reported killed or injured due to shelling inside Mosul.

Naynawaalghad TV cited what it said were medical sources in Mosul, who told the outlet that 41 civilians were killed or wounded as a result of artillery fire from an unknown source. The outlet noted that residents were forced to bury victims in a public park, as the cemetery was full.

Yaqein reported that more than 40 civilians were killed or wounded on Saturday night, and blamed the government or Coalition. ISIL-linked al A’Amaq posted a video showing rubble and rescue workers. It included a shot of what is purported to be a bomb fragment left at the scene, on which English lettering can be seen.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A screenshot of the video released by ISIL-linked Al A'Amaq shows the remnant of a munition with English lettering.
  • A screenshot of the video that reveals the destruction following the shelling in Farouk and other neighbourhoods in Mosul(via Hait al-Khir)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL-held buildings, two fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, and a front-end loader.

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]